Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was allowing the Leas-Chathaoirleach to speak.

What is this all about? We need some explanation. The stenographers do a great job here. There are many hours so there is a lot of reading. By doing a few word searches, it is quite easy to find out what happened or did not happen in this House. Why is the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport so afraid of persons who may have had legal experience abroad having a function on the judicial appointments commission? What is everyone afraid of? What is the problem? What are the Minister's difficulties?

In every walk of life, international experience is beneficial. In the medical profession, doctors have been upskilling overseas for decades. Our health system has benefited from this. In business, almost all the entrepreneurs in this country are individuals who have exported goods, services or experiences abroad, including across the world. In education, the Erasmus+ programme is one of the greatest achievements of the European project. It connects students to universities and provides them with an unrivalled opportunity to learn new things and about other cultures. Therefore, what is the motivation behind the little Ireland approach whereby only those who are strictly laypersons who have never gained any legal experience abroad need apply? That is clearly the message. This amendment and its motivation beggar belief. I would appreciate the Minister's response but I recognise commenting is his prerogative.